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THE VALLEY FORGE HISTORIC MEMORIAL. 



DESCRIPTIVE KEY 



OF THE 



VALLEY rOIlGE 



STORIC MEMORIAL CHAIR. 



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PHILADELPHIA : 

JAS. B. RODGERS PRINTING COMPANY, 

52 and 54 North Sixth Street. 
1884. 

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1884, by J. S. Haller. 



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DESCRIPTIVE KEY 



Valley Forge Historic Memorial Chair, 



ORIGIN OF DESIGN. 

0N the 19th of April, 1882, while journeying around to 
the many places of historic interest, situated at and near 
the city of Washington, we chanced to notice and visit 
the building containing the memorial blocks of marble and 
granite presented to occupy a space in the Washington national 
monument. We were amazed when viewing those memorials 
sent from all parts of the world, at the universal respect shown 
the name and memory of Washington. 

Of the diiferent memorials that attracted our particular atten- 
tion were the following : 

A memorial stone from a Temple erected in honor of Augustus, 
between two and three thousand years ago, that had stood on the 
banks of the Nile. A memorial stone from Braddock's Field, 
Pennsylvania. A memorial from the home of General John 
Stark, New Hampshire. A memorial from the descendants of 
the friends and neighbors of Washington. A memorial block of 
granite from the youthful State of Nevada, bearing the inscription 
"All for our country, 1881." Seeing so many memorials to the 
right, and to the left, the idea occurred to us that there should 
be a memorial stone here, at the Capital of the nation, from the 
Valley Forge. 

The next point of interest visited was the Executive Mansion, 
and there we were confronted by a life-size oil painting of a per- 
sonage who only recently was known to the nation, Mrs. R. B. 



6 DESCRIPTIVE KEY OF THE 

Hayes. After passing this work of art, a memorial of this noted 
lady, and the block of granite from the yonthful Nevada, surel}' 
we thought there should be a memorial here from the A^'alley 
Forge. We next visited the conservatory attached to the Execu- 
tive jNIansion ; while there this idea suggested itself : make a 
chair of laurel and other wood, from the historic hills at the 
Valley Forge, and present it to the nation for the use of the 
President. 

For a month, or more, the making of a rustic chair was 
revolved in our mind together with the thought, how can the 
privations endured by the Continental army, be held up creditably 
to the historical prominence they deserve ? 

The different ideas are given in the order of tlieir sugges- 
tion : First was to give all the prominence possible to Thirteen 
Stars, intended to represent the number of states engaged in 
the struggle for Liberty and Independence. Nearly all of the 
different original states were represented at Valley Forge, by 
some one of their able generals being posted on a portion of the 
lines of defence on this hallowed ground ; consecrated by the 
defenders of Liberty in those, the darkest hours of the struggle. 

In addition to the thirteen stars add Twenty-five more, 
the number thus representing Thirty-eight stars, the present 
number of states in the national constellation ; also have Eleven 
smaller stars to represent the territories of the United States. 
The entire number of stars is thus produced, to illustrate what 
has been achieved by the army's keeping together on those 
historic hills during that pitiless cokl winter, after successive 
defeat ; amid destitution and suffering that has no parallel in 
any country's history. 

The next idea suggested, was our seeing Thirteen Stars 
arranged in a circle on a coin, bearing date 1783. The arrange- 
ment of those stars suggested the idea to search history to know 
the date of the adoption of the present design of national flag, 
and if adopted before the occupation of Valley Forge by the 
patriots. History records the fact that the Continental Congress 
adopted the present design of flag, with its field of blue and 
thirteen stars arranged in a circle, on the 14th of June, 1777. 

The first flag of the new and present design of our national 
banner was made by Mrs. Anna M. Ross, and was without a 



VALLEY FORGE HISTORIC MEMORIAL CHAIR. 7 

doubt, first unfurled to the breeze in battle at Brandywine, Sept. 
lltli, 1777. We are assured by other researches, that the flag 
with its miniature constellation of stars, waved above the half- 
clad and famished patriots at Valley Forge ; in those days in its 
early youth. We therefore, concluded to locate the flag on a 
prominent part of the intended historical efibrt, that the difference 
in the number of stars on the blue field of the flag, then and 
now, might be more apparent, and illustrate the contrast how the 
flag appeared more than a century ago ; and how to-day, with 
thirty-eight stars, the result of what was endured on that historic 
ground. 

The next idea was to put the words : " From the Valley 
Forge " on the chair. The word " From " is located centrally 
at the top of the back of the chair ; the letters of the word are 
in gold on nickel plate. The word " The " is located just below 
the word " From," and near the centre and top of back of chair. 
These letters of the word The are rustic, formed of laurel. 
The word " Valley " is located on the right arm of chair, letters 
of laurel. The word "Forge" is placed below the left arm of 
chair, letters of word also of laurel. 

The idea next suggested was, that some historical quotations 
should have an appropiate location. Next came the thought, 
that a Bust of Washington should be centrally located, and 
if possible, overlooking the entire effort and every occupant of 
the chair. Next occurred the suggestion, put the motto Virtue, 
Liberty and Independence, on some central part of chair. 

Thus far, these are only ideas. We must journey to the 
historic slopes at Valley Forge, to see if it is possible to find 
sufficient of the severely crooked laurel, that the different sug- 
gestions may be used after the wood has been thoroughly 
seasoned. In the later part of the month of May, 1882, we 
visited the encampment grounds, and found suitable material after 
successive journeys; to warrant the hope that in due time the 
ideas would be illustrated and the historic memories of this spot 
noticed, that the busy age has passed by. 



DESCRIPTIVE KEY OF THE 



Ristorical Outline Sketcl:) of Valley Forge 

And KEY of DESIGN, intended to illustrate what has been accom- 
plished through the privations endured by the patriots from the 
thirteen original States of the Union at the Valley Forge ; where 
they froze, starved and died, rather than desert that youthful 
flag and their Chief, the Father of his Country ; whose example 
alone, endeared the troops in theii* devotion to him and the cause 
they were struggling so nobly to win. It was at Valley Forge 
amid the destitution and sufferings of the patriots, that their 
commander sought the shades of the forest, and on bended 
knees implored aid from the Divine Giver of all blessings. 

Since those cold December days of 1777, when that army, 
numbering 11,098 men, marched up the old Gulf Road, and that 
flag with its constellation of Thirteen Stars waved above the 
suifering patriots as they marched o'er the frozen ground and 
snow, along that line of march, stained with their life's blood from 
their shoeless, bleeding feet ; that flag has waved on every sea and 
been honored in every land. Has floated in the breeze above the 
clouds ; yet, to-day, that flag does not wave o'er the grave of a 
single patriot who found a resting place there, that their hoj)es of 
Liberty and Independence might not be lost forever. 

The order of arrangement of the stars on the Field of Blue 
on the flag, varies from the original flag adopted by Congress, for 
the purpose of illustrating more vividly the fact, that at Valley 
Forge was the pivotal, or turning point in the struggle. 

Hence Twelve gold stars encircle the Thirteenth star ; this 
arrangement rejM"esents the diiferent States assembled at Valley 
Forge, on the soil of Pennsylvania, determined to rise or fall 
together in this camp, while those not on the sick list and but 
scantily clad, stood up shoulder to shoulder on this first national 
parade ground and school in actual field discipline, and where the 
Baron Von Steuben, the veteran disciplinarian, trained the troops 
to such ettlciency that ever after the occupation of Valley Forge 



VALLEY FORGE HISTORIC MEMORIAL CHAIR. 9 

were the Continental armies successful. The intended design in 
having the Star Headed Nails of different sizes were various. 
One object was to represent a Large State with a large star, 
the more brilliant surface a star possesses is intended to represent 
a State with an undimmed lustre of prosperity since its early 
settlement. Another object in designing a Large and Small 
Star was to illustrate in a novel manner the varied difference in 
the number of square miles each State possesses; for instance, 
Rhode Island, with her area of 1,250 square miles of territory, 
is represented by a small star. If any citizen of that State does 
not favor such miniature representation he must take comfort in 
the fact that the narrative penned by one of her most illustrious 
sons, Maj. Gen. Nath'l Greene, has been quoted and given a 
prominent location, attached as it were to the flag, on the engraved 
plate of German silver. 

To the State of Virginia is allotted a star having as large 
and brilliant a surface as the limited space will allow, in respect 
to the State that produced such illustrious sons as Washington, 
Jefferson, and Patrick Henry. 

The Two Stars alike on the design located at the top of back 
of chair, one on each side, is intended to represent the States of 
New Hampshire and Massachusetts. To the first-named 
State we refer to history that the fact may be produced Avhere the 
first contest in behalf of Liberty took place, at Concord, N. H., 
April 19th, 1775. In reference to the State of Massachusetts, 
we wish to extend the knowledge of the fact of that State having 
sent the largest number of troops during the struggle for Liberty, 
the number being 68,000 men. 

To the State of North Carolina is assigned a star of the 
first magnitude, although differing from those given New York, 
Pennsylvania and Virginia, for having produced the famous 
Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, that without a doubt 
was the guide in the production of the immortal Declaration 
of Independence framed and adopted at Philadelphia and 
proclaimed to the world July 4th, 1776. 

The plating of gold leaf around every star assigned to a State 
is intended to show the Halo of prosperity that attends every 
State, the result of the combined efforts of the patriots at Valley 
Forge. 



10 DESCRIPTIVE KEY OF THE 

The Eleven Smaller Stars, nearly all located on the left 
side of chair with their halo of blue around every star except oue^ 
is intended to represent the territories belonging to the United 
States. A tracing of Red, White and Blue colors encircle every 
star. 

Near the centre of tlie Arched i)iece of laurel from which the 
flag is apparently suspended on the back of chair, is a nickel plated 
Keystone bearing the inscription, " 1777. Valley Forge Then 
&Now. 1884." 

The material from which the Bust and White Stripes in the 
flag were made was cut from the redoubts, Ft. Washington and 
Huntingdon situated immediately in front of the inner line of 
defences. 

The Red Stripes in the flag were taken principally from a 
large cedar more that two feet in diameter across the trunk : its 
unusual size warrants us in saying that it stood there a silent 
witness of the patriots' sufferings amidst the raging pestilence and 
scanty supply of food. 

The White Piece of wood standing upright on the left side 
of chair with Rustic Monogram of the letters U. S. near the 
centre of piece and outlined on the centre of cover of key, is a 

branch of cedar cut from the spot where Washington's 

Marque was pitched on the day the troops arrived at the Valley 
Forge and where the Chief remained and shared the rigors of that 
wintry blast until his troops had constructed their log huts, when 
the commander secured limited room under the roof of the Potts 
mansion near the river and Valley creek. 

The Observer will notice the stars assigned the thirteen origi- 
nal states have a larger halo of gold around them than the stars 
intended to represent the states that have been added to the national 
constellation of states since the Kevolution. 

It is the Thirteen Star headed nails that hold the main frame- 
work of the chair together; every one of the stars allotted the 
original states has the Initials of the state beside the plate around 
the star. 

In arranging the Thirteen states in the order they are located, 
our endeavor was to locate the state whereon Valley Forge is 
situated midway on the then narrow belt of the original states 
nearly all then bordering on the Atlantic coast, the frontier limits 



VALLEY FORGE HISTORIC MEMORIAL CHAIR. 11 

of civilization then extending westward a short distance beyond the 
Susquehanna River. 

We defer designating the remainder of the stars on the chair, 
for the object of the present endeavor is to produce the credit due 
the patriots from the thirteen states in their efforts to secure Virtue, 
Liberty and Independence to the early colonists who sought a 
refuge on those shores from British oppression. 

Of what avail the virtues of any people if not secured by 
Liberty and Independence ! 

These priceless legacies were secured through the privations 
endured at Valley Forge, and are enjoyed alike by all to-day in 
our great republic. 

The tides of battle never ebbed and flowed along and over 
these lines of defense ; the sabre, the bayonet, and the bullet of the 
enemy ne'er thrust their course through the noble forms of the 
patriots while they watched, waited, toiled and hoped for the dawn 
of spring that they might away to victory and leave this camp, a 
rendezvous of starvation and suffering. 

Alas, many never left those hillsides where the great luminary 
of day had so oft' outlined their half-clad and gaunt forms. They 
rest in unmarked and almost unknown graves in the immediate 
vicinity of the camp. 

By the side of the Left Arm of chair is a Book or News- 
paper pocket ; on a level with the seat of chair, in front are the 
letters U. S. ; natural growth, one letter on each side of chair. A 
Plan of the encampment is traced in colors on the back of the 
chair, back of the flag. The Two different lines of defence are 
shown, the outer or front line most exposed to attack is worthy 
of study, to know how the Commander-in-chief had posted his 
bravest and most energetic generals : 

General Muhlenberg, of Pennsylvania, the liberty-loving 
parson, in command of Virginia troops, guarding the extreme 
eastern part of the Front Line, and more than two miles from 
headquarters; this is the left of the line. 

Next in importance on a line of defence is to have a dashing, 
reliable commander posted on the centre of the line, in command 
of trustworthy troops, that the line may not be broken and expose 
the flanks. General Glover, of Massachusetts, and his Mar- 
blehead fisherman and sailors, held this part of the line. 



12 DESCRIPTIVE KEY. 

Next in order was to have a trusty commander posted on the 
right of the line; there was the Virginian, Scott. Midway 
between the position of Scott and Glover, was where the intrepid 
Wayne was posted, that in the event of the centre, or right-flank 
being routed, there would soon be prompt and vigorous assistance. 
The Inner Line of defence was designed mainly for shelter, 
should there have been serious disaster on the front line. 

The Location of the generals' names on the plan, is about the 
Locality where the different commands had built their Log- 
huts. Many of the roads shown on the plan were only used by 
the army, and are now no longer in use; smiling fields cover their 
sites. A greater part of the encampment tract is under cultivation, 
some portions being very rocky, and the portion along the inner 
line and Valley Creek covered with a forest of chestnut timber. 
At diiFerent places in the forest many of the Sites of the huts can 
yet be noticed. The inner line of defences, under cover of the 
forest, is in a good state of preservation. The Front line has 
most generally been leveled, yet the embankment can be seen 
along the ridge that borders on the Chester Valley. 

A Small Design of the National Coat of Arms of the United 
States, is located beneath the plan on the back of chair. A view 
of the Headquarters Mansion is placed on the plan ; the hand 
and dotted line indicates the location on the encampment grounds. 

The following tribute quoted from Thacher's JSIilitary Journal 
of the Revolution, evidently manifests the regard tlie troops enter- 
tained of the laliors of their Chief, amid the cares and duties of 
his responsible position, his unceasing devotion and disinterested 
zeal combined to stay the attachment of the troojis to the cause, 
when surrounded by the slender comforts of the encampment. 
" No man perhaps ever had a greater combination of vexatious 
evils and uncontrollable obstacles to encounter than this incom- 
parable patriot." 

A few of the obstacles might be noted as being the deranged 
Quarter-master and Commissary Generals' departments of the 
army ; the constantly expiring terms of enlistment of the trooj)s 
from the different States ; the want of sectional unity, and the 
cabalistic intrigue af a number of officers in the effort to supplant 
Washington in the tedious jirogross of directing the work in the 
struggle. 



VALLEY FORGE HISTORIC MEMORIAL CHAIR. 15 

Here at this eiicampment were a number of officers who had 
rallied with their commands at the first roll of the drum and 
booming of cannon at Bunker Hill, and were also witnesses of the 
scene when the Chief assumed command of the army beneath the 
Liberty Tree on Boston Common. A few of the prominent names 
we note as being present on those occasions, were Generals Greene, 
Sullivan, Learned, Paterson, Knox, and Glover, who had marched 
with the first body of organized armed men to the siege of Boston ; 
in addition to the number were Captains Daniel Morgan and 
Alexander Hamilton. 

Among the many officers who had commands when the army 
was here, were a number of titled rank from foreign legions, who 
had volunteered and continued in the service until killed in action 
or the final siege at Yorktown had concluded their terms of 
service. They were : Generals La Fayette, De Kalb, Steuben, 
Pulaski and Duportail. The Americans were : Generals Wayne, 
Knox, Poor, Scott, Mcintosh, Light-horse Harry Lee, Colonel 
John Laurens, and Lieutenant James Monroe. 

Were it possible for the dead that slumber in those unnoticed 
and neglected graves to rise up for a moment and behold the great 
change that has been wrought on the face of the country over 
which they had so often trodden on their many long, weary marches, 
how great would be their surprise to see the steam throated 
locomotive speeding along the northern borders of this encampment 
near the river. Would not those patriots with one accord exclaim, 
this is now a land of peace and prosperity, and men need not now 
endure the privations of an apparent forlorn hope by shouldering 
a flint-lock musket and pace to and fro on those ramparts, for 
Liberty and Independence are now secure. 

For many long years the frosts and snows have descended on 
the laurel growing in the shades of the forest near the Valley 
Forge ; a few of the natural crooks are now transferred to the light, 
a gift to the nation for the exclusive use of the honorable successors 
of the immortal Washington, who first directed the ship of state. 

On the Cover of Key, the Date at the Top and Foot of the 
page, is intended to refer to the dawn and close of the revolu- 
tionary era. An Eagle with half folded wings at the top of page 
as if from a distant mountain peak, overlooks the then impending 
struggle, and only soars away on outstretched wings assured of 



16 THE VALLEY FORGE HISTt)RIC MEMORIAI- CHAIR. 

filial triumph on receipt of the news announcing Franklin's 
Treaty of alliance with France, which was received and cele- 
brated on the 6th of May, 1778, with great rejoicing and solemn 
thanksgiving services held at the head of each brigade by their 
respective chaplains. 

On the Back of Chair, and just above the base of bust, is a 
Silver Plate that was formerly an old coin, the inscription and 
profile is so nearly worn away by use, that the date can scarcely 
be read, the date is 1783, part of the inscription is Rex III Dei 
Gratia ; Avithin this inscription has been stamped thirteen small 
stars, gold plated, arranged in a circle, within this circle of stars 
there is a Monogram of the letters U. S. 

Height of chair, 4 feet, 9 inches; width of seat, 22 inches; 
weight of chair, 62 pounds ; number of pieces of wood in chair, 151. 

On the Engraved Plate attached to the flag is engraved the 
autograph of M^ashington wrote : " that our difficulties and 
distresses are certainly great and such as Avound the feelings of 
humanity." Maj. Gen. Nath'l Greene wrote : " the troops are 
getting naked ; they Avere seven days Avithout meat and several 
days Avithout bread." 

Size of Flag, Hi by 18 inches. 

The Encampment evacuated by the Army June 19th, 1778. 




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